Violin rest



J. E. HALL VIOLIN REST Sept. 22, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 19, 1949 mmvrox JOSEPH E. HALL ATTORNEY J. E. HALL VIOLIN REST Sept. 22, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 19, 1949 INVENTOR. JOSEPH E. HALL ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 22, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

My'invention relates to violin rests, and its objects are to provide a more efficient shoulder pad and support therefor, for comfortably positioning the bottom back of a violin upon the human shoulder while the violin is being played; to relieve the shoulder from the pressure and direct contact of the adjacent end of the violin, and also to soften contact with the collar bone; to permit the bottom or sounding board of such violin to vibrate more freely so as to produce a greater volume of sound while improving the tone thereof; to furnish individual pads of adjustable heights or thickness and made in sizes conforming within a large range to the body frame of the individual player; to permit said pads to be quickly secured to the shoulder pad support and to be readily removed therefrom without undue effort upon the part of the user; to construct the pad support so compactly and of such convenient size as to allow the same together with attached pads to be conveniently packed into an ordinary violin case with the violin and to be carried along therewith; to render the parts of the pad support and pads accessible for inspection, adjustment, replacement, restoration and repair, and generally to provide a shoulder pad support which, together with the pads thereof, is simple and economical of construction, efficient in action and of prolonged life and durability. These and other objects will appear from the drawing and as hereinafter described and set forth.

In the playing of the violin, it is the common practice of player to rest the end of the bottom back thereof upon his left shoulder, and to maintain. this portion of the violin in such position either by lifting his shoulder so as to press said portion upwardly against his chin, or through twisting his neck and depressing his chin downwardly against such portion so as to hold the same against his shoulder; either case requiring the assistance of his left hand to grasp the neck of the violin and to hold it in playing position. By reason of the fact that the fingers of the left hand must slide up and down said violin neck in fingering the strings, and because of the difficulty of maintaining constant and sufficient pressure upon the end portion of the violin between the chin and shoulder of the player, it frequently becomes displaced or dislodged from its playing position, and as a result thereby imposes considerable nervous strain upon the player and tends to interfere with his playing accomplishment. Furthermore, in addition to this undue pressure upon the shouder, there is also present a disturbing contact of the end of the violin against the collar bone of the player, tending to distract his attention and impair his performance. These disadvantages, however, are largely removed or relieved through the use of my invention, as will more particularly hereinafter and at large appear.

Attention is hereby directed to the accompanying drawing, illustrating preferred forms of my invention, in which similar numerals of designation refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and in which,

Figure 1 is an isometric view of my improved shoulder pad support and means of its attachment to the underneath adjacent end portion of a conventional violin, the shoulder pad being removed therefrom for purposes of better illustration;

Fig. 2 is a section of the flange of the said support shown in Fig. 1, on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view of one form of detachable shoulder pad constructed to be secured to said support by a dovel-tail catch attachment;

Fig. 4 is a view of an enlarged section cut away from the support illustrated in Fig. 1, showing the tapering V-shaped slot shaped for engagement with said dove-tail catch; Fig. 5 is a section on line 55 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the V-shaped slot and directly below a section of the pad and dove-tail catch for-med to engage said slot;

Fig. 6 is a view of another form of removable shoulder pad designed to be attached to said support;

Fig. '7 is an exploded sectional view of a cylindrically formed detachable shoulder pad, the three members of which are shown slightly separated from on another and the manner in which they are fitted together and attached so as to adjust the height or thickness of the pad;

Fig. 8 is an isometric view of the upper member of the pad shown in Fig. '7, looking upwardly at the same at an angle from below;

Fig. 9 is an isometric view of the middle member of said pad, looking downwardly at the same at an angle from above;

Fig. 10 is an isometric view of the lower member of said pad, looking downwardly at the same from an angular viewpoint slightly above, and

Figs. ll, 12, 13 and 14, are successive isometric views taken angularly from above of the swiveling parts of the shoulder pad shown in Fig. 7, showing progressively the said parts in four different adjusted thicknesses or heights. 1

Referring to the drawing, I construct the main body of my improved shoulder pad support 15 in the form of a U-shaped shelf, portions of the outer edges of which are bent upwardly to make upwardly extending inwardly padded flanges H3 and H conformed to make close registering engagement with opposite sides of the bottom end of a conventional violin A; the body of said shelf being positioned underneath said violin and the said flanges being each provided to make such registering contacts with the beads l8 and also with channeled recesses I9, conforming with the ridges of said bottom end (see Figs. 1 and 2) and the said shelf also conforming to the shape of the bottom of said violin with substantial clearance between the upper surface of said shelf and the opposite confronting surface of said bottom. Preferably the said shelf i5 is made of a sheet of wood, plastic, or rubberized material, but may be made of any substance suitable for the purpose. As shown, the said flanges are separated. by a substantial gap 20, so as not to interfere with, and to provide for the clearance of, the attachments ordinarily provided for securing the usual chin-rest 21 to the rear end of the violin; such attachments consisting of the turn buckles 22 and 23, threaded to engage with the shanks of their respective catches 22a, 22b and 23a, 23b, "positioned to engage respectively with said chinrest and violin.

In order to lessen the weight of the support I5, I preferably form the right portion of the same with the recess 24, leaving the left portion of said support of substantial width in order to provide a seat 25 for the removable attachment of the shoulder pad 26, or any other forms of pads hereinafter described. To effect such attachment, the portion of said support forming said seat has extending therethrough the tapering key-hole configured slot 21, V-shaped in cross section, and positioned to engage with the dove-tail catch 28 of the pad 26. This pad and catch are more particularly shown in Figs. 3 and 5, and preferably c'orm'irise a cushion of sponge rubber or rubberlike material 26a, having a covering 26b of soft textile fabric to the top of which is secured a flat concave cap 230 of resilient sheet material, having integral therewith or firmly secured thereto at about the center thereof the catch 28. As shown, the catch 28 is rectangular in outline and dove-tail in cross section, and is shaped so as readily to be inserted within and thrust through the wider portion of the tapered slot 21, and to he slid away therefrom to effect Wedging engagement with the narrower portion of said slot; the said slot gradually diminishing in width away from the wider end thereof and being as aforesaid V-shaped in cross section, thereby allowing the pad readily to be secured and wedged to the underside of the bottom end of the violin and to be interposed between the same and the shoulder of the player to relieve thepressure of said end thereon.

Preferably, I also attach to the underside of the shelf I5 within the space of the gap 20, the elongated pad 29 composed of a rubberlike cushion covered with soft textile fabric, similar to the materials of pad 26, but located in a position to soften contact of the violin with the collar bone of the player, at the same time that the pad 26 is making contact with his shoulder, and effectively aiding in relieving the nervous strain imposed as aforesaid upon better performance.

In Figs. '7 to 14, inclusive, I have illustrated a special form of shoulder pad 3i! embodying the general features of my invention as hereinbefore set forth and also adapted to furnish to the violin player a ready means for adjusting the height or thickness of the pad to suit his individual needs or convenience. This adjustability I have accomplished through the form of construction particularly shown in Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive, where the pad is shown as comprising the three separable partanamel a lower member 3|, a middle member 82, and an upper member 33, constructed and connected in the manner about to be described.

Thus, the lower member 3| consists of the sponge rubber-like cushion 3 la, the sides and bottom of which are overlaid by the covering 3") of soft fabric or similar material, and the central portion of which is hollowed out to provide the large cylindrical socket 34, having formed in its wall, adjacent to the bottom thereof, the annular recess 34a; the general shape of said member being that of a shallow bowl with rounded bottom and bulging sides contoured to register with the human shoulder or hollow thereof and to make softened contact therewith.

The middle or central member 32 is a thick disk of plastic or other suitable material, shaped to fill and to make close contact with the socket 34 of member 31; the lower bottom edge of member 32 being extended to form the annular bead or ridge 320., located to make registering engagement with the annular recess 34a at the bottom of said socket 34. Also, within the central portion of the member 32 is formed the cylindrical well 35, the wall 35a of which is circular and of substantial thickness, and around which and continuously encompassing the same, and integral therewith, are disposed in sequence the segments 37 and 38, uniform in shape, and each formed with a similar series of steps w, :c, y and a, the threads of which are progressive in height and upwardly inclined.

The upper member 33 is a thick disk of plastic or other suitable material of the same character as that of member 32 and is of the same diameter. The said member 33 is constructed with the recessed cylindrical opening 330, extending through the bottom and central portion thereof, and forming the continuous downwardly extending circular wall '39, the bottom part of which is made with the segments 36a, 31a and 38a similar in form to segments 36, 31 and 38 of member 32, and shaped and adapted to make accurate sliding swiveling registration therewith. In order that the segments of the members 32 and 33 may be kept in said sliding contact, I preferably supply the helical tension spring 40, the ends of which are respectively attached to the bottom of the well 35 of the member 32 and to the ceiling of recessed opening 33a of the member 33. To the top of the member 33 is affixed, or made integral therewith, the dove-tail catch 4| similar in form to the catch 28 of the pad 26, and adapted in the same manner as aforesaid to effect attachment with the slot 21 of the shelf I5.

The manner of adjusting the height or thickness of the shoulder pad '30, is graphically shown in Figs. 11 to 14-, inclusive, the said adjustment being accomplished simply by swiveling the members 32 and 33 in relation to each other so that the same may be slid step by step through contact of their respective steps to the position desired. Accordingly, in Fig. 11, the two members -32 and 33 are shown with the gap therebetween entirely closed and with all of their adjacent steps in close contact, at which time the thicknes of the pad is in its minimum condition. In Fig. 12, the said members have been turned a single step, in Fig. 13, a second step, and in Fig. 14, a third and final step; the effect each time to be that of increasing the thickness of the pad, by forcing the said members further apart and extending the gap therebetween. To reduce said thickness, the saidprocess is simply reversed.

To attach any of the forms of shoulder pads above described to the support I5, it is only necessary to insert within the wider portion of the tapered slot 2'1, the dove-tail catch of said pad, and thereupon to effect sliding wedging engagement of the shank of said catch with the narrower part of said slot. To detach the pad, the said catch is loosened and slid out of its said engagement with said slot and moved to the wider portion thereof, where it may readily be removed therefrom.

Where I have used the words clamping" or clamping contact in the claims in respect to securing the shelf or shelflike support to the bottom back of a violin, I desire to be understood as meaning a gripping contact effected solely in and by the shelf or shelflike support itself, and not requiring additional means of attachment.

My invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment, as above set forth is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of my invention being indicated. by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which may come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a shelf-like support, means for detachably clamping said support to the bottom back of a violin; a three-part shoulder pad, two of which parts are in swiveling relation one with the other, and are provided with opposed sets of contacting steps progressive in height and upwardly inclined, whereby upon the swiveling of said movable parts the said pad may be adjusted at different heights; and means for detachably securing said pad to the bottom of said support.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a shelflike support conforming in shape to the curved bottom back of a violin and having upstanding flanges conforming to fit the opposite sides of said bottom back and adapted to make clamping contact therewith said support when so clamped being located beneath said bottom back with spaced clearance therefrom; a shoulder pad; swivelling means for adjusting said pad at different heights, and means for detachably securing said pad to the bottom of said support.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a shelflike support conforming in shape to the curved bottom back of a violin and having upstanding flanges shaped to fit the opposite sides of said bottom back and adapted to make clamping contact therewith; a three-part shoulder pad, two of which parts are in swivelling relation one with the other, and are provided with opposed sets of contacting steps progressive in height and upwardly inclined so that upon the swivelling of said movable parts the said pad may be adjusted at different heights; and means for detachably securing said pad to the bottom of said support.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination of a shelf the body of which is constructed to be positioned below a violin and to conform to the curved end of the bottom back thereof, said shelf having upstanding flanges adapted to make clamping contact with the opposite sides of said curved end with spaced clearance between the upper surface of the body of said shelf and the opposite confronting face of said bottom; and a shoulder pad and means for detachabl securing the same to the bottom of said shelf.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of a shelf having upstanding flanges conforming to the opposite sides of the curved end. of the bottom back of a violin and adapted to make close clamping contact upon said sides with spaced clearance between the upper surface of the body of said shelf and the opposite confronting face of the bottom of said violin; and a shoulder pad and dove-tail wedging means for removably securing said pad to the bottom of said shelf.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of a shelflike support conforming to the curved bottom back of a violin and having upstanding flanges adapted to make clamping contact with opposite sides of said back, said. support when so clamped being located beneath said bottom back and in spaced relation thereto, and said support having a tapering V-shaped slot therethrough adjacent to the normal position of the shoulder of the player of said violin; and a shoulder pad with a catch secured to its top, said catch being shaped to and adapted to make wedging engagement with said V-shaped slot.

7. The subject matter of claim 6, including a concave cap of resilient sheet material firmly secured to the top of said shoulder pad, and bearins said catch thereon.

JOSEPH E. HALL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 441,716 Tindall Dec. 2, 1890 934,844 Beisheim Aug. 31, 1909 1,721,919 Meyers July 23, 1929 1,756,676 Cobentson Apr. 29, 1930 2,004,356 Westman June 11, 1935 2,110,023 McGowan Mar. 1, 1938 2,489,101 Mills Nov. 22, 1949 2,489,321 Nyhagen Nov. 29, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 4,256 Great Britain Apr. 7, 1885 12,824 Great Britain June 8, 1898 

